1988 Plymouth Reliant LE 2.2 from North America

Summary:

Faults:

Driver bucket seat recliner mechanism had to be welded solid at about 220K.

Brakes have been redone twice in the 230K span.

Head gasket was replaced about 220K.

General Comments:

I continue astounded at how little this spunky car has asked of me during 15 years & for over 230,000 miles. Plus, it's fun. Interior is big enough, while exterior is small enough. 2.2 is peppy with manual tranny & currently gives 30 mpg highway, cruising in overdrive at 70+, with no complaints. I dig Reliants. What a perfect name for this great Plymouth, an incredible mechanical buddy. I'll stick with it.

1988 Plymouth Reliant LE 2.2 from North America

Summary:

An American Icon

Faults:

My head gasket and radiator.

General Comments:

This car is the best thing running. This tank has been through hell and back and still runs strong. I bought the car from an old woman that used it to drive to church and the grocery store, so it had low miles and had not even been broken in yet. The has been mistaken for a diablo since I have yet to take my foot off the floorboard and I have many, many speeding tickets to attest for its legendary 2.2 power. This car is legend and should be put in the car hall of fame. Not only do I love my car, the ladies love the comfortable bench seating. Damn, this car is the schznit and I am blessed to drive it... Speaking of that, I think I should. If you see a screaming Kcar behind you, best slow down and let me pass.

29th Aug 2004, 14:14

Brilliance my friend, brilliance. I took an 84 wagon out on the freeway last week, and the thing rattled, rocked and roared to 80mph faster than the rest of the traffic I was trying (desperately) to get in front of. They've got guts, man.

The inside of the cylinders were very coked up from people trying to start it with water in the gas.

The exhaust system was plugged almost completely, the car would stall every time it was revved.

The driver side coil spring was cracked.

General Comments:

I purchased this car for 400 dollars from a junkyard. I was looking for a K-car to satisfy personal interest when I came across this Reliant K Wagon sitting in the corner. The paint was very shiny, and I walked over and took a look at it.

It had almost NO body rust!! There was evidence of body rust in the past, but it had been repaired by its previous owners.

The interior was very clean with the exception of the headliner which was torn just over the cargo area, which indicated to me that something large had been forced in.

The bottom of the oil pan was scraped up pretty bad and as mentioned before, a coil spring was broken. It looked like before I had gotten to it, someone decided to beat the hell out of it a bit.

Anyways, I brought it home, fixed the problems for under 500 bucks and I had a very decent running car for under 1000 bucks.

This car will not die, you can beat the ever loving crap out of it and it will still run. Going on almost 160K miles, this thing is a testament to its design. Never have I seen a car take as much punishment as this.